Low coherence optical probing of structure and microcirculatory function in living tissue with a multi-scale strategy (TTF.5840)

Project nummer: ttf5840

Omschrijving van het onderzoek

Light which is scattered by living tissue carries information about aspects of the tissue structure, and the functionality of physiological processes, in particular the microcirculation. A noninvasive method that probes tissue structure will enable an early discovery of structural changes such as caused by (pre)-cancerous tissue modifications, but also an assessment of the effects of burns and thermal treatments on the tissue condition. Noninvasive measurement of the microcirculation makes it possible to follow the process of blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) in tumours, and the reduction of blood vessels in the treatment of tumours with anti-angiogenesis drugs. Furthermore, quantification of the microcirculatory function will facilitate the clinical management of wound healing, for instance in burns.
Recently, we developed and published a new tissue sensing strategy based on low coherence interferometry.
In the program proposed here, methods for tissue structure and microcirculation assessment will be developed starting from the present rudimentary state. An important feature of our approach is the variety in spatial resolutions that can be achieved.
This multi-scale property will enable the clinician to zoom in on suspect regions of tissue which were screened with a lower resolution. In this way, very small tumours can be found more easily, which otherwise would form a needle in a haystack.

Gebruikers

Two companies and one other university are involved in this project.

Projectleider

Dr.ir. W. Steenbergen

Universiteit Twente
Technische Natuurwetenschappen
Biophysical Engineering

Postbus 217
7500 AE Enschede

Status van het project

Gestart	: 20-10-2003
Einddatum	: 11-01-2008

Trefwoorden

Angiogenesis, Imaging, Light scattering, Low coherence, Tomography.

Print | Over deze site |

Sitemap | Voorbehoud | Gewijzigd 4-5-2006